Socks on Blogs

My finished socks were featured on Marly Bird's blog - very cool!!

Check it out HERE

Orange is the New Black - Crochet Goodness

I recently started watching Orange is the New Black on Netflix.  I didn't realize that was (a) based on a book which was (b) the true memoir of Piper Kerman, who spent a year a federal prison.

I know, I know...I am late to the game.  I didn't think I would like this kind of show but it isn't exactly what I fully expected (some of it is but they also give a lot of background on the characters before they came to prison so it doesn't all take place in the prison)

Anyway....as a crafter, I immediately notice that despite being in a prison - the ladies have access to tons of crochet goodness!  There is even a little crochet group of ladies in the prison (of course they are all older as if younger folks wouldn't enjoy crochet)

Here are some examples:

First up - a throw in Larry's apartment.  Larry is Piper's fiancé.  Here is seen consoling Piper's best friend.  While this is not crochet and it is not in the prison...it is a nice knit cable throw that is just an example of how much knit and crochet items are spread throughout the show.

Next...Piper had a bunk mate that ended up getting to maximum security because she attacked a prison guard (she was provoked but that is another story).  Her bunk mate had this lovely open-work afghan that Piper was holding onto in case she returned.  Another character, Boo, decided to steal from Piper and she would carry it around to taunt Piper and make her aware that she had it.  Here she is wearing it like a shawl on movie night.

Another character sets up a mini shrine to her baby (who she is separate from of course) and has a nice orange crochet doily

Another character, Norma, who appears to be mute but we find out that she chooses to be mute due to a terrible stutter, has a nice yellow ripple blanket that is normally found at the foot of her bed.

In a 1960s backstory scene, involving a character who is a nun, we see a young man drop off the nun after they have attended a protest - his van has a nice granny afghan hanging off the back of the seat.

During one episode, there are protestors outside the prison and even they have on some nice knitted and crocheted hats and scarves.  The nun come out to talk to them (along with a guard of course) and she also is wearing a nice crochet hat and scarf - looks like the hat is made with homespun yarn)

In another off prison scene...we see one of the inmates relative in the process of being arrested, as he is trying to get away, we see a nice granny square afghan on a chair.

In one scene, a group of inmates are sitting around in a circle talking and one has a large granny afghan around her shoulders (it looks like a shawl in this photo but it was an afghan/throw)

You can see that some of the inmates enjoy crochet - one even has some yarn in her bunk area (see the blue skein there behind her on the cabinet?)

In one scene, Lorna, who reminds me of a pink lady from Grease and who is allowed to drive the prison bus when a guard needs to run an errand, puts on her purple crochet scarf before heading outside.

Even when an inmate gets a visit from their child's father, who brings the baby to see her, her baby is wearing a cute little pink crochet hat.

I saved the best for last.  The character of Red, has both a nice crochet blanket and a crochet pillow.  
She has a lot of power among the inmates so perhaps these were gifts to her in exchange for some favors or some contraband. It is quite colorful and has these nice ombre kind of stripes.  Everytime I see it, I think...hmm, I could make that.  I did notice in season 5, (which I am currently watching) that there is a tiny hole in the yellow/orange section now - wonder if that is deliberate for the show or if something really happened to it by accident on the set.  Perhaps it had a whole all along but I didn't notice it until Season 5.

I wonder where the set directors get the crochet items for the show?  Did they just go to thrift stores? Did they have someone make them especially for the show?  I think they could have a whole behind the scenes episode about the crochet items found.  I am sure a lot of people may not notice these but if you are a crocheter or a knitter, you tend to notice things like this when you are watching TV shows and movies.  

Thank You Red Heart!

I mentioned the sock KAL that I finished up a week ago.

There was a KAL group on FaceBook where you could post your progress and I posted photos as I went along.  My finished socks got about 75 "likes" but the best part is that earlier today, Red Heart posted a comment on it and said that I won a prize package!  How cool is that?!  They said to send them a private message with my address and they'd ship it out so I did - they replied back that it will be shipped out. 

I'm not sure what it will be - I assume some yarn and perhaps some accessories (a yarn bag or crochet hooks maybe?).

I'm so excited!  I will post a photo of my prize package when received.  Thank You Red Heart!

Classic Yellow Cake and Chocolate Frosting

I saw this in the Atlanta Journal Constitution and  thought I would save it here so I can refer back to it when I have the time to make it.  I have a friend visiting next week so maybe I will make it then - we shall see.

Note: It bugs me that that one area is highlighted in blue but the link was there each time I tried to capture the image or print the recipe.  It acts as though it is a hyperlink but it doesn't take you anywhere.  

W.I.P. Wednesday - Completed Socks

I guess I shouldn't say this is a Work-In-Progress (WIP) since they are completed!  I participated in a Knit-A-Long (KAL) to learn how to knit a pair of socks.  I have never knitted socks before and I don't wear typical socks (due to lymphedema) but I wanted to learn a new skill so I decided this would be a good project and it was!

I had so much fun with the KAL and was actually able to keep up with the group.  I knitted both socks at the same time and I am glad I decided to do that because when the KAL was over, I had a complete pair of socks!

I am really happy with them and actually somewhat impressed with myself I must say.

Anyway...here they are...I hope my sister likes them because I am going to give them to her.

#MarlyBirdKAL #ChicSheepYarn

Funny Friday - May The 4th Be With You

My Office - Day 9

Next to my business card holder, I keep some Germ-X (needed especially during cold/flu season).

More importantly, I keep my baby lotion.  My skin can get very dry in the office, especially in the winter months so I have to keep some lotion on my desk...I am sure my co-workers think it is odd that I don't have some fancy-smancy lotion but I love the smell of baby lotion and it works great!

Bonus: After I put some on, I get many compliments from people saying that I smell good 😀

W.I.P. Wednesday

I am a little bit behind in the KAL for my socks.  I should be completely through with both feet now but I was out of town for 4 days so didn't have time to knit.  I do have one foot completed and will complete the other one over the next day or two.

Then it is on to the final part - the toes.  Hopefully by this time next week my socks will be completed.

My Office - Day 8

Anyone who knows me, knows that I a huge Osmond fan.  So of course I have to have a little something to show my Osmond pride.

I had a magnet made from a photo of Donny & I.  I have a magnetic folder holder for projects in progress and I have the magnet sticking on it.  I get to look at Donny's face everyday, made even better since I am standing right next to him!